# What are the most difficult dance sequences in film history? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 26, 2008, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770 "2008-12-26T20:10:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/1 "2008-12-26T20:10:14Z")
The holiday staple SCROOGE (imo the definitive adaptation- actually patches some holes in the Dickens’ novella and of course Finney\* was brilliant in making him both believable and sympathetic, etc.) and several foot tapping moments, but I’d never really noticed til this year [the coffin dance segment of “Thank You Very Much Much”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiNMz_745vQ). If you can’t abide showtunes, the dance sequence starts at 1:30. The end result is one of those scenes you don’t really think “Damn, that was impressive!” about until you think of it. Actor/dancer Anton Rodgers dances atop a coffin that is atop a wagon that is in motion. This had to have been one helluva difficult shoot for many of the “treadmill on an airplane” reasons, and when he and the extras begin dancing together on top (2:08) it must have resulted in a lot of falling until it was out of rehearsal. (I’ve wondered if the man who falls off around 1:56 was a real accident they just incorporated in [seamlessly].) Of course on-stage the Bottle Dance from Fiddler is extremely impressive, but I’ll admit I often wonder if they use velcro or concealed bottle holder to make sure it looks natural but is impressive. Even so, it’s a showstopper. What are some of your favorite “Damn that was impressive!” dance numbers? \*Can you even imagine the film if Rex Harrison had played the lead? He was the original choice. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/2 "2008-12-26T20:12:30Z")
Fiddler on the Roof–To Life. ---
**Author:** ![Hi\_Neighbor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hi_neighbor/32/494_2.png) [@Hi\_Neighbor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hi_Neighbor)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/3 "2008-12-26T20:16:12Z")
I honestly don’t watch many productions with dance numbers in them, but while at the university, I took a Pittsburgh and Film course. We watched many movies that took place in and around Pittsburgh, as well as films starring Pittsburgh natives. One was _Singing in the Rain_ featuring Pitt alum Gene Kelley. That iconic scene where he’s dancing in the rain must have been difficult enough, but I later read that he performed it while down with a fever of 103. He was the most dedicated dancer that I’ve ever known. ---
**Author:** ![maladroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@maladroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maladroit)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/4 "2008-12-26T20:39:00Z")
I’m partial to Fred Astaire’s drunk dance in Holiday Inn, the New Year’s Eve dance. I don’t know how difficult it is but I was appreciating how few cuts there were in the dance sequences in that movie. Sorry to say I don’t recall his partner’s name, her character name is Linda. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/5 "2008-12-26T20:43:23Z")
> [@maladroit](#): > > I’m partial to Fred Astaire’s drunk dance in Holiday Inn, the New Year’s Eve dance. I don’t know how difficult it is but I was appreciating how few cuts there were in the dance sequences in that movie. Sorry to say I don’t recall his partner’s name, her character name is Linda. [Marjorie Reynolds](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjorie_Reynolds) was the actress. ---
**Author:** ![Monstera\_deliciosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monstera_deliciosa/32/109_2.png) [@Monstera\_deliciosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstera_deliciosa)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/6 "2008-12-26T21:52:43Z")
I’ve always been impressed by the [Nicholas Brothers](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBb9hTyLjfM) in _Stormy Weather_. I’ve never seen the movie itself, but I remember being seriously blown away by this clip. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/7 "2008-12-26T22:26:04Z")
> [@Monstera\_deliciosa](#): > > I’ve always been impressed by the [Nicholas Brothers](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBb9hTyLjfM) in _Stormy Weather_. I’ve never seen the movie itself, but I remember being seriously blown away by this clip. They’re _always_ good – they also have a specialty number in the otherwise unnecessary _Down Argentine Way._ (BTW – we’ve got _Stormy Weather_ coming up in about a week in the musicals group, so I just watched this again – I think the discussion should be interesting, in case you’d like to join us.) Re: the OP – I’m going to give a shout-out to the barn-raising scene in _Seven Brides for Seven Brothers_ (the most recent film int he musicals group, oddly enough). Apparently Michael Kidd started choreographing by having a slew of construction materials brought in and playing around with the dancers. Some of the jumps onto, off of, and every which way around narrow beams are breath-catching. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/8 "2008-12-26T22:43:17Z")
> [@maladroit](#): > > I’m partial to Fred Astaire’s drunk dance in Holiday Inn, the New Year’s Eve dance. I’m sure that any number of Fred’s dances would qualify. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/9 "2008-12-26T22:51:20Z")
“Every Sperm is Sacred” from Monty Python’s _The Meaning of Life_ and the Dude’s bowling dream (with a Valkyrie-attired Julianne Moore and bowling-pin-headressed choirines) from _The Big Lebowski_ are certainly impressive, but not all that difficult, I guess, compared to some others. Awhile ago someone sent me a YouTube link for two black male dancers from the 1920s or 1930s who were unbelievably athletic, dancing up and down a giant piano. Don’t know their names, though. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/10 "2008-12-26T23:10:21Z")
> [@Monstera\_deliciosa](#): > > I’ve always been impressed by the [Nicholas Brothers](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBb9hTyLjfM) in _Stormy Weather_. I’ve never seen the movie itself, but I remember being seriously blown away by this clip. Damn, that hurts just lookin’ at. ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/11 "2008-12-26T23:29:14Z")
I can’t believe I came in to nominate “7 Brides for 7 Brothers” and someone else already has! well, it is the Straight Dope, but still. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2008, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/12 "2008-12-27T00:00:53Z")
Hmm. Gene Kelly in “It’s Always fair Weather”? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Aus1PA5-SyI/hqdefault.jpg "Gene Kelly tap dancing on roller skates") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aus1PA5-SyI) ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2008, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/13 "2008-12-27T00:02:15Z")
Another good clip is a sequence from [Hellzapoppin](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0BHxhUnokU). The dance itself starts at about 2:40, but the intro is definitely worth watching too. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2008, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/14 "2008-12-27T00:12:32Z")
> [@Nametag](#): > > Hmm. Gene Kelly in “It’s Always fair Weather”? > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aus1PA5-SyI](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aus1PA5-SyI) There really ought to be more tap dancing roller skate numbers in movies. At 4 min 20 sec, the routine in that clip would give me the opportunity to kill myself approximately 240 times. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Woodhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@Miss\_Woodhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Woodhouse)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2008, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/15 "2008-12-27T00:39:43Z")
I’d like to nominate the dance number for “Make 'em Laugh” also from _Singing in the Rain._ I can’t even remember the actors name right now, but I love the mesh of physical humor. The way he runs up walls and basically throws himself around is amazing. I love that number. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2008, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/16 "2008-12-27T01:25:58Z")
> [@Monstera\_deliciosa](#): > > I’ve always been impressed by the [Nicholas Brothers](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBb9hTyLjfM) in _Stormy Weather_. I’ve never seen the movie itself, but I remember being seriously blown away by this clip. Those are the guys! Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2008, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/17 "2008-12-27T02:26:12Z")
> [@Miss\_Woodhouse](#): > > I’d like to nominate the dance number for “Make 'em Laugh” also from _Singing in the Rain._ I can’t even remember the actors name right now, but I love the mesh of physical humor. The way he runs up walls and basically throws himself around is amazing. I love that number. Donald O’Connor. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2008, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/18 "2008-12-27T02:31:09Z")
> [@Nametag](#): > > Hmm. Gene Kelly in “It’s Always fair Weather”? > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aus1PA5-SyI](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aus1PA5-SyI) Can you imagine how strong his legs must be? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2008, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/19 "2008-12-27T09:36:36Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > I’m going to give a shout-out to the barn-raising scene in _Seven Brides for Seven Brothers_ . . . That’s what I was going to mention; it overshadows whatever flaws are in the rest of the movie. ---
**Author:** ![Diane1485](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@Diane1485](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane1485)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2008, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770/20 "2008-12-27T10:11:22Z")
There is the 17 minute Ballet in An American in Paris–Gene Kelly again. Oh And Slaughter on 10th Avenue in “Words and Music”. But Gene Kelly actually reaches sexy in The Pirate (With Judy Garland) and lesser known musical which has Gene showing his bare legs–Very Impressive! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-difficult-dance-sequences-in-film-history/478770.md?page=2)